The rise of a second former policeman to a top politically appointed post in the Security Bureau has fuelled fears that human rights will be shunted aside in future security policies.
Robin Tse Shu-chun, the retired New Territories South regional commander, is tipped to become political assistant to the security minister.
Last month former deputy police commissioner John Lee Ka-chiu was appointed undersecretary to the Secretary for Security, Lai Tung-kwok, himself a former immigration director.
If Tse's appointment is confirmed, the top three figures in the bureau would all be people with strong backgrounds in the disciplined services.
Democratic lawmaker James To Kun-sun, vice-chairman of the Legislative Council's security panel, said it was unreasonable to name people with similar mindsets and culture as law enforcers to serve in the same bureau. "In formulating policy, we need wider views," he said. "But disciplined services officers tend to put law enforcement first and want everything to remain under control.
"They may oversee many aspects such as human rights."